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Salvation Army Raises Record $148M in Red Kettle Campaign

PARK RIDGE, IL - DECEMBER 20: Salvation Army bell ringer Debra Vazquez works near her red Holiday donation kettle December 20, 2005 in Park Ridge, Illinois. Since 1865, the Salvation Army has been helping the needy and every year close to 33 million people in the U.S. receive help from the Salvation Army. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

(Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — The Salvation Army says it has set a new fundraising record with its 2012 Red Kettle Campaign during the holidays, raising $148.7 million.

The Alexandria, Va.-based charity saw an increase from $147.6 million in 2011. The new total represents a 4.7 percent increase in the past two years. In 2010, the campaign raised $142 million.

The Red Kettle Campaign dates to 1891on San Francisco’s wharf. The donations support social services.

The Salvation Army has been raising more money online in recent years. In 2012, it raised $2.1 million through “Online Red Kettles,” up from $1.7 million in 2011.

There was also an increase in online giving in November and December apart from the Red Kettle Campaign. Other donations totaled $21.2 million, a 17 percent increase from 2011.